Apparatus for conveying and loading sugar-cane and the like.



1 l G. (1110211111. APPARATUS FOB. CONVEYING AND LOADING SUGAR GANE AND THE LIKE.

. y' APPLIGATION nLEnJULY' 15, 1910. 1,025,379, l Patented May 7,1912.

'l1 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. CROZIBR. APPARATUS POR CONVEYING AND LOADING SUGARUANB AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 15, 1910.

- Patented May 7, 1912'.

C. GROZIER.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND LOADINGSUGAR GANE AND THE LIKE.

Patentedy May 7, 1912.

4 SHBETIB*SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1910.

o. GRUZIBR. APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND LOADING SUGAR CANE AND THE LIKE.

vAPPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 1910. 1,025,379.

Patented May 7, 1912.

v 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

CHARLES CROZIER, OF I-IONOLULU, TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND LOADING SUGAR-CANE. AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 15, 1910.

Patented May 7, 1912.

Serial No. 572,119.

T0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES Crozier, a citizen of the United States, residing at Honolulu, county of I-Ionolulu, Territory of Hawaii, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Conveying and Loading Sugar-Cane and the Like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is designed principally for use in sugar-cane fields, and is intended to receive the cut cane placed by laborers upon the platform of its car and convey it upon same up its inclined runway to its upper end whereupon said platform is automatically tilted and the cane thereon is thrown from same and dumped into the railway car which is to convey it to the mill.

The invention also contemplates a frame or truck for supporting and for transporting the apparatus, means for elevating and adjustably supporting` the runway above said frame or truck in an inclined position such that its upper end is at a suitable elevation above the railway car which is to be loaded, means for adjusting the runway so that its rails are of the same inclination and height, means for operating the car on the runway, and other features, all of which will hereinafter appear. The runway may of course be made in sections if desired, only one section, however, being illustrated and described.

By my apparatus I effect a saving in time and labor in loading cane in the field onto cane cars. In practice, loads of 300 pounds of cane have been conveyed and dumped and the car returned to the loading position on the runway by one operator in less than half a minute, the runway in this case being nearly forty feet long and inclined about sixteen degrees to the horizontal.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention set up ready for operation. Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the apparatus in position for transporting in the field. Fig. 8 shows a portion of the runway with the car thereon just previous to arriving at the dumping position. Fig. 4 is a similar view with the car having discharged its load. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the wheeled truck and the means for adapting the same to roll on railway rails. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view'of the runway. Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section of the runway, showing the supporting means therefor. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the mast which may be used for raising and lowering the runway, as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings it will be noted that the frame or truck for supporting and conveying the apparatus comprises, a triangular frame 1, and axle 2 secured transversely to said frame and provided with two large wheels 3, and a shoe or runner 4 swiveled below the apex 1 ofthe triangular frame 1 by the swivel 5. A suitable sleeve or socket 6 is provided above the triangular frame 1 and slightly forward of the axle 2 being rigidly supported by four inclined legs 7 as shown. A shaft 8 is removably journaled in boxes 9 attached to two transverse bars 10 bolted to the legs 7 The shaft 8 is provided with a drum 11 fastened to samebetween the boxes 9, and with a hand operating crank 12 at one end of said shaft. A brake wheel 13 is also secured to the shaft 8. A bar 14, preferably of pipe for lightness, is adapted to pass through the vertical hole 6a in the socket 6, and is provided with holes 14a and with a collar 15. A pin 16 may be inserted through a hole 15a in the collar 15 and any one of the holes 14a, such that the collar 15 may engage the top of the socket 6 and thereby support the bar 14 at various heights and at the same time the bar 14 may be turned in the socket 6. A saddlebar 17 is pivoted on the bolt 18 in a crotch or jaw 14b formed at the upper end of the bar 14. A shackle 19 is also pivoted on the bolt 18. The saddle-bar 17 is provided with an eye 17a at each end and with lugs 17b on its upper edge as shown. I also provide means for adapting the apparatus to be transported upon a railway track such as is to be found on most sugar cane plantations. A frame 20 is hinged to the axle 2 within the triangular frame 1, and its outer end is provided with two boxes 21 in which an axle 22 is journaled. Small car wheels 23 are secured to the axle 22 to suit the gage of the track to be used. The axles 2 and 22 are parallel and the distance between them is made approximately equal to the radius of the large wheels 3, so that the wheels 3 are lifted off from the ground and straddle the railway when the wheels 23 engage the rails of said railway. rlhe frame 20 may be swung on the axle 2 to a position vertically under said axle and be secured in this position by wire or other ropes 24 attached to the frame 20 and to the triangular frame 1, being pulled into such position by a small block and tackle attached to the front end of the frame 1.

The runway is formed of two parallel beams 25 with suitable cross ties 26, and the upper side of each beam 25 is provided with a rail 27. Cleats 28 are secured to each beam 25 arranged at intervals along their inner or their bottom sides from about onequarter to about one-third of their length from the discharge end of the runway. The beams 25 are adapted to rest upon the saddle-bar 17 -outside of the lugs 17h, which prevent said beams from slipping sidewise off from the ends of the saddle-bar, while the cleats 28 prevent said beams from slipping longitudinally. The drum 29 is mounted to turn between the beams 25 on centers 30 which are passed through holes 31 in said beams near the discharge end of the runway.

The body 32 of the car is provided with front and rear axles 33 34 each with two small car wheels 35 36 respectively, of a gage to suit the rails 27 of the runway. T he frame or platform 37 to receive the load is hingeably supported above the body 32 by curved braces 38 provided with holes 38a through which the rear axle 34 passes and forms the pivot. A supporting bar 39 is hinged on a bolt 40 passing through ears or lugs 41 secured under the forward end of the platform 37. The lower end of the supporting bar 39 is offset rearward to form a crotch 39a, and a small wheel 42 is mounted to turn on a pin 43 through the forked end 39b below the crotch 39a. l The platform 37 is made such that its center of gravity is slightly rearward of the rear axle 34. Ropes 44 are attached to the frontI end of the body 32 and the platform 37 respectively, to limit said platform in swinging backward when no load is on same. Then however any load is placed upon the platform 37 the crotch 39a of the supporting bar 39 engages the front axle 33 and while so engaged the plat-form 37 is prevented from further lowering. An interference plate 45 is rigidly supported in an inclined position between the beams 25 near the drum 29, and is adapted to be engaged by the wheel 42 when the car is moved over same and thereby cause the supporting bar 39 to be raised sufficiently to disengage the crotch 39a from the axle 33, whereupon the frame or platform 37 instantly lowers due to the weight of the load upon same, swinging forward on the rear axle 34 as a pivot. Flat springs 46 are secured to the front of the body 32 to cushion the blow of the platform when it thus drops. Stops 47 are provided at the ends of the rails 27 nearest the drum 29 to engage the front car wheels 35 to prevent the car from leaving the runway.

The ends of a short wire rope 4S are secured to the sides of the front end of the body 32 of the car, forming a loop to the middle of which one end of a wire rope 49 is attached. The other end of the rope 49 is fastened to the drum 11 on which said rope is wound when the car is to be pulled up the runway. The rope 49 is carried over the drum 29 to change its direction, and when the car arrives near the discharge end of the runway the loop 4S passes over said drum 29. rlhe object of attaching the loop 4S to the car is to leave the front axle 33 free and clear for the action of the supporting bar 39.

A pin 50 is secured to project from each end of the cross tie 26 which is nearest the drum 29. Struts or props 51 are provided, each of which has an eye 52 at one end adapted to be slipped over a pin 50, and thereby support the discharge end of the runway when the load comes over same. The props 51 may also be used for the wheels 3 to pass over on when ditches are encomitered. Shorter props 53, made adjustable as to length by clamps 54, may be employed to stiften that portion of the runway between the loading end and where it is supported upon the saddle-bar 17.

If desired, the runway may be lifted or lowered by means of a light block and tackle instead of by hand, in which case a mast 55 provided which is passed through a stakepocket 56 attached to the side of the socket 6, and the lower end is stepped upon the triangular frame 1. One of the blocks is attached to a hook 57 at the upper end of the mast 55, and t-he other block is hooked into the shackle 19 at the top of the bar 14. By this means, the bar 14 together with the saddle-bar 17 and the runway supported thereon may be raised or lowered, the bar 14 sliding in the socket 6.

then the apparatus is to be moved from place to place in the field, the runway is turned horizontally about the bar 14 as a pivot until it is over the longitudinal axis of the triangular frame 1 and at right angles to the axle 2. The loading end of the runway is then rested upon the rear end of the said frame. runway rests upon the saddle-bar 17, the bar 14 turns in the socket 6, and the collar 15 turns upon the top of said socket. The car on the runway is then preferably moved to a position over the saddle-bar, and a rope 58 attached to each eye 17L is used to lash the car and saddle-bar to the runway and the runway to the frame 1. The props 51 53 and the mast 55 are loaded onto the frame 1. The apparatus is then pulled over the ground In turning to this position the by a horse or other means attached by a shackle 59 to the runner 4 which slides while the wheels 3 turn on the axle 2.

Arriving in the field along side of the railway car to be loaded, the ropes 5S are unlashed, the runway is swung horizontally to a position at right angles to the transporting position and parallel with the axle 2, in which position the wheels 3 and the runner 4 form a three point supporting base for the apparatus. The saddle-bar 17 is then raised until the runway is inclined sufficiently to bring the drum 29 at a suitable elevation above the railway car to be loaded. The runway may be lifted if necessary and ,moved either toward or from said car and then lowered onto the saddle-bar between cleats 2S which prevent further movement longitudinally. The two rails 27 of the runway are now adj usted so that they are of the same inclination and height, by tilting the saddle-bar on the bolt 1S by pulling on one of the ropes 58 which are then tied to the cross-bars 1() or to the frame 1. A wedge could be introduced if desired in the jaw 14b below the saddle-bar 17 to prevent the latter from further movement on the bolt 18. The props 51 and 53 are now placed in positions to brace the runway.

Cane is placed upon the platform 37, which causes it to lower swinging on the rear axle 34 as a pivot until the front end is supported by the bar 39 the crotch 39a of which engages the front axle 33. By means of the crank 12 the drum 11 is now operated to wind the rope 49 thereon, and the loaded car is thereby pulled up the inclined runway. The front wheels 35 of the car engage the stops 47 upon arriving at the upper end of the runway. Just previous to this however the wheel 42 has met the interference plate 45 and has raised the supporting bar 39 and disengaged its crotch 39a from the axle 33, the weight of the load on the platform 37 causing its front end to instantly lower. lThe only support for the platform with load thereon is now the rear axle 34, which is the pivot on which it swings, and the motion is such that the platform is thrown forward while its front end is dropping. This swinging motion of the platform has two advantages, as the load is thus thrown forward and off from said platform and as the shock to the runway by the platform engaging the springs 46 is less than if the front end simply dropped vertically upon said springs. The load thus thrown from the platform falls directly onto the car to be loaded. By allowing the rope 49 to unwind from the drum 11 by means of the brake wheel 13 the car is quickly returned by gravity to the lower or loading end of the runway. The operations are repeated until either the railway car has been loaded or there is no more cane in the immediate vicinity to be loaded. In the latter case the apparatus is shifted to a new position in the field.

iVhile I prefer the construction of the apparatus as shown and described, I desire it understood that I do not limit myself as to the details of same, as any changes in the construction whereby the same results may be effected are included within the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for conveying and loading sugar cane, a wheeled truck, a frame rising therefrom, a runway swiveled at the upper portion of said frame and capable of being swung into alinement with the truck, for transport from place to place, and into a laterally directed position with respect to t-he truck, for setting up the runway in the field, a car on said runway having a dumping platform, means, including a hoisting drum supported on the truck, for moving the car along the runway, and means to dump said platform when the car reaches the upper end of the runway.

2. In apparatus for conveying and load-` ing sugar cane, a truck comprising a wheeled axle, and a substantially triangular frame supported thereon and having one end adapted to rest on the ground, a frame consisting of legs rising from said first named frame, and a runway having a swiveled connection with said last named frame and capable of laterally swinging movement with respect to the truck, to place it in position for loading o-r for being transported from place to place.

3. In apparatus for conveying and loading sugar cane, the combination'of a truck comprising a wheeled axle, and a frame supported thereon with one end on the ground, al frame rising from said first named frame,

a runway swiveled at the upper part of said second frame and adapted to swing laterally with respect to said truck, a car movable on said runway, and hoisting mechanism for said car comprising a drum journaled in said second frame.

4. In apparatus for conveying and loading sugar cane, the combination of an upwardly inclined runway, and a car movable thereon, said car having a platform pivoted at the rear portion thereof and projecting forwardly so as to extend out beyond the upper end of the runway when said car is at the limit of its upward travel, and cooperating means on the car and on the runway to cause said platform to tilt forwardly and downwardly when at the upper limit of its movement, to overhang the upper runway end in a forwardly and downwardly inclined position.

5. In apparatus for conveying and loading sugar cane, the combination of a truck having large wheels to transport the same over the field, a runway supported on said truck, and a frame hinged to the axle of the truck and carrying railway wheels, said frame being normally folded within the truck in inoperative position but being arranged to swing downwardly to engage its wheel with a railway track, thereby raising the large wheels otf the ground, as described.

6. In apparatus of the kind described, a triangular frame, an axle located transversely and provided with two large wheels, and a shoe or runner swiveled below the apex of the triangular frame.

7. In apparatus of the kind described, a truck supporting a sleeve or socket, a bar adapted to turn in said socket, a saddle bar pivoted to the upper end of said bar, a runway on the saddle bar and means for altering the height of the saddle-bar to support the runway at various desired elevations.

8. In apparatus of the kind described, a truck provided with a frame 2O hinged to the axle 2, boxes 21 attached to said frame, an axle 22 provided with car wheels 23 and journaled in said boxes, and means for securing the frame 2O vertically below the axle 2, for the purpose specied.

9. In apparatus o1' the kind described, a runway comprising two parallel beams 25, cross ties 26, rails 27, cleats 28, a drum 20 at one end of the runway, and an interference plate 45 supported between the beams 25 near the drum 29, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES CROZIER.

Witnesses ROBT. J. PRATT, P. I-I. BURNETTE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, byv addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

